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Mike Stout

@mikedodgerstout.bsky.social
267 followers 30 following 178 posts

Video game designer since 2002. Ratchet and Clank, Skylanders, Crash 4 and more. Opinions are mine, not my eployer's.

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Reposted by Mike Stout
Chris Kerr @kerrblimey.bsky.social · 15h
BREAKING: Activision QA workers have voted to authorise a strike with contract negotiations stalling after two years "After nearly two years of bargaining, repeated delays, and a refusal to meaningfully address key issues, we believe collective action is necessary."
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CWA @cwaunion.bsky.social · 14h
CWA members at Microsoft-owned Activision Publishing have voted to strike if necessary to win a fair union contract! cwa-union.org/news/release...
cwa-union.org
Activision Quality Assurance Workers Vote to Authorize Strike
Ahead of next week’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 early access launch, workers at Microsoft-owned Activision Publishing vote to strike if necessary to achieve a fair union contract.
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Prime8 @prime8.games · 10/10/2026
www.patreon.com/Prime8Entert... A long overdue update. It took me two tries to make this video because the first time I didn't have the mic set properly.
patreon.com
Patreon Vlog update 31! | Prime8 Entertainment
OH MY GOD I RECORDED A 25 MINUTE VIDEO WITH NO AUDIO. FUCK. Hello Ladies, Gents, and Gentlethems! This is a bit of a heavy post, along wit
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
I did both of the last two bleets wrong. I am the king of memes and the best at the internet.
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
static.klipy.com
The Music Man: Trouble in River City Performance
ALT: The Music Man: Trouble in River City Performance
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
static.klipy.com
Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca: Beautiful Friendship
ALT: Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca: Beautiful Friendship
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Yuri Lowenthal @yurilowenthal.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
While it may seem unnecessary to many of you, today seems like a good day to remind everyone that Trans Rights Are Human Rights and the trans community will always have my axe.
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United Wizards of the Coast - CWA @uwotc-official.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Curious how you can help? We ask that you sign our petition for Wizards to voluntarily recognize our union, share it with your communities, and keep an eye on this account for future updates! actionnetwork.org/forms/uwotcp...
actionnetwork.org
Stand with Dungeons & Dragons and Magic Workers Forming a Union!
The Dungeons & Dragons team and Studio X (Magic: The Gathering; Duel Masters) are forming a union! We are joining the ranks of United Wizards of the Coast - CWA (UWOTC-CWA) and following in the fo...
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United Wizards of the Coast - CWA @uwotc-official.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
This morning, the D&D team and Magic's Studio X informed our leadership of our intent to unionize. We love the games we make and the work we do, and unionizing is how we protect that work. unitedwizardsofthecoast.com/news/dnd-stu...
unitedwizardsofthecoast.com
Dungeons & Dragons and Studio X Join United Wizards of the Coast - CWA
Today, October 6, 2026, the designers, artists, writers, producers, and workers behind Dungeons & Dragons, Magic: The Gathering, Duel Masters, D&D Beyond, and countless other games are uniting in soli...
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Yuri Lowenthal @yurilowenthal.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Book bans: never good.
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lumpley @lumpley.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
As a game thinker, personally, I'm not interested in distinguishing games clearly from other kinds of behaviors and activities. I'm interested in finding and learning from the games that are hiding, unidentified, unrecognized, unacknowledged in the other things we do.
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
This is a solid set. I’m here for these games.
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
My spoon is too big. My spoon… is too big. My SPOON is too big!
static.klipy.com
I Am A Banana: Funny Animation
ALT: I Am A Banana: Funny Animation
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Kim Acuff Steiner @emberdione.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The beatings will continue until morale improves.
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Chris Bratt @chrisbratt.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
First thing the Blizzcon attendees see as they join the queue for this year’s show.
The Blizzard union stall set up outside of Blizzcon 2026A sign reading “Unionized Blizzard Gamemakers. We make the games!”
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World of Warcraft Gamemakers Guild - CWA @wowgg-cwa.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We hope everyone is as excited as we are for BlizzCon this weekend! Keep an eye out for these limited run union pins. Each one representing a different organized CWA unit within Blizzard. Good luck collecting them all! Thank you @tsepish.bsky.social for helping us make these real!
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World of Warcraft Gamemakers Guild - CWA @wowgg-cwa.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The contract locks in: - Hybrid Work Policy - Pay increases for our most vulnerable members of up to 34% - "Just Cause" Protections - Protections Against Outsourcing - Remote Work and Disability Accommodations - AI Bargaining Requirements - Industry First Recall Rights - And more!
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World of Warcraft Gamemakers Guild - CWA @wowgg-cwa.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
We are proud to announce the ratification of a historic contract covering nearly 1,900 workers at Blizzard Entertainment, including represented workers on the World of Warcraft team. Today we stand as One Blizzard United. cwa-union.org/news/release...
cwa-union.org
Blizzard Entertainment Workers Ratify Historic Video Game Contracts with CWA
Blizzard Entertainment workers represented by CWA voted to ratify historic union contracts with the Microsoft-owned company, securing an unprecedented victory for the video game industry following the...
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CWA @cwaunion.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Alongside wage increases, grievance procedures, a three-day in-office hybrid workweek, just cause protections, remote work & disability accommodations, the contracts now require Blizzard to discuss, evaluate, and bargain over the usage of artificial intelligence in the workplace.
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Aftermath @aftermath.site · 09/09/2026
After years of company stalling, Blizzard workers win mega-contract that applies to all unionized teams aftermath.site/blizzard-union...
the famous orc statue outside blizzard's HQ in irvine, california
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Teal Bald @tealgamemaster.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Happy 30th Birthday, Crash!
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Achievement completed. Union contract unlocked! cwa-union.org/news/release...
cwa-union.org
Blizzard Entertainment Workers Ratify Historic Video Game Contracts with CWA
Blizzard Entertainment workers represented by CWA voted to ratify historic union contracts with the Microsoft-owned company, securing an unprecedented victory for the video game industry following the...
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Mel the Honeybee @melthehoneybee.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Happy #SpyroCommunityDay everyone!!! This franchise continues to be my greatest inspiration when it comes to my art (as you can see from some of my stuff over the years). I am so eager to see Spyro begin a new era of games soon!! #art
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Gabe @cwgabriel.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
The game industry is so incredibly fucked up right now.
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Yeah. It’s been a little different at every company I work for. But the chain is usually Execs->Directors->Leads->All ICs, regardless of seniority. As a principal sometimes my boss is a Lead and sometimes a Director depending on what company it is.
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Oh hell yes. I’d like to subscribe to your newsletter.
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Yep, usually! A director position isn't always a manager position or even an executive position, but they often are. They're responsible for a slice of the game: Art, Design, Audio, or many others. They're closely involved with the product of their discipline and are the final approval point.
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Colin McInerney @colin.how · 18/08/2026
great turnout btw, join your local union
an image of a large group gathered near the zenimax sign outside their corporate hq
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Erin Fitzgerald @erinfitzbadass.com · 18/08/2026
Lately I've been seeing actors who feel lost and disconnected from the love of the craft. My job is to reconnect them with that love. I'm the perfect person to see if that's where you are.
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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Suit up, folks!
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CWA @cwaunion.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
On Tuesday, Aug 18, we're holding rallies across the US and Canada to call out layoffs and corporate greed in the gaming industry, and to demand fair first contracts across Microsoft’s gaming studios. Find an event near you: CWA.org/SaveOurDevsRally
A graphic with fists. One is holding a game controller. Text on the graphic says, "Save Our Devs. August 18. Rallies Across US & Canada."
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Kim Acuff Steiner @emberdione.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
I keep having these experiences where I tell a cashier or retail worker to have a good day or similar, and they assume I'm messing with them. I always want to go hug them and tell them they're great and they don't deserve whatever made them assume that. Be nice to them! Their job already sucks!
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
The main difference is whether people report to you and you do reviews and help them with career management stuff (Lead).
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Principal is still an individual contributor (IC) to the game, usually entrusted with a major feature or two. A lead is a manager role, but might also do IC work. Like one of my early contributions was playing the first 3 CB games and reverse engineering their level and enemy design principles.
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Murderblonde @murderblonde.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Also I MIGHT MIGHT MIGHT be planning a Season Two of FrieNDA and looking for possible guests and even maybe Justify the Mechanic ideas, just putting that out there! youtube.com/@frienda_pod...
youtube.com
FrieNDA: The Game Development Podcast
A (visual?) podcast where two game developer people talk to another guest game developer person about game development stuff!! + WHAT GAME DEVELOPER PEOPLE ARE YOU? Annie "Murderblonde" VanderMeer a...
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Murderblonde @murderblonde.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
It's a bit schticky, maybe, but having to find the GOOD in something instead of just going "UGH I HATE THIS" I think has not only made for great discussions but I think it's made me a better designer. Like I still don't love item degradation, but I definitely UNDERSTAND its use far better!
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Murderblonde @murderblonde.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
One of the best ideas that wandered into my brain was what became the impetus for half of FrieNDA (my podcast with the awesome Mike Stout) - "Justify the Mechanic" - taking a disliked element of game design and actually try to approach it positively, thinking WHY it's used, how it's useful.
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Oh! And I did the one with the music syncing. Off Beat.
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Sure! Most of these I worked on with other people, but I did initial designs for them. Dingo segments in: Rush Hour, Rock Blocked. Early design final boss, but mostly was Adrian Ledda. Same with “Booty Calls” and “Home Cooking” (Ray West) I did the majority of the Cortex fight on his airship.
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Kim Acuff Steiner @emberdione.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
I got a spoiler alert about some game companies.
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United Videogame Workers-CWA @videogameworkers.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
We'll be there. Will you? ✊
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World of Warcraft Gamemakers Guild - CWA @wowgg-cwa.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
WoWGG-CWA’s #whatwefightfor campaign is a series focused on our workers pushing for a more equitable Blizzard behind the scenes. To learn more about what we are fighting for, and to keep updated with us and our campaign, please follow WoWGG-CWA on all social media platforms -- Link is in our bio!
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World of Warcraft Gamemakers Guild - CWA @wowgg-cwa.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Xbox claims that their most recent layoffs were to cut down on “as many as fourteen layers of management” in some areas, but many workers impacted in July’s layoffs were artists, engineers, producers, and designers— the workers making the games that drive record-breaking profits to Xbox.
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World of Warcraft Gamemakers Guild - CWA @wowgg-cwa.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
“This cadence of layoffs at Microsoft cannot continue. Every day we dedicate our passion and our skills to building games that players love. We deserve a stable foundation in return!” -- Gabi Overberg, UI Artist and WoWGG-CWA organizer #whatwefightfor
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Xalavier Nelson Jr. @writnelson.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
perfect appetizer for GTA 6 is WILD work
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Mike Stout @mikedodgerstout.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Three absolute classics.
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Mark Hamill @markhamillofficial.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Exactly 3 months from today is the most important midterm election in our lifetime. Our opportunity to hold him accountable. Register to vote here: Iwillvote.com The stakes have never been higher. Show the world the majority of Americans are good, decent, honest people. #VoteBlue🗳️ #RejectMAGA 👎
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lumpley @lumpley.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Something randomly reminded me to share this! lumpley.games/2019/10/21/g...
A simple graph showing two parallel skill acquisition lines. As you practice a skill, you don't improve steadily, you improve in steps: a sudden improvement, a long plateau, a sudden improvement, a long plateau...
This chart shows "creative skills" and "critical skills" improving out of step with one another, leapfrogging: your creative skills suddenly improve while your critical skills plateau, then your critical skills improve while your creative skills plateau. Creative skills: design, development, production; critical skills: analysis, interpretation, vision.A simple graph showing two parallel skill acquisition lines. As you practice a skill, you don't improve steadily, you improve in steps: a sudden improvement, a long plateau, a sudden improvement, a long plateau...
This chart shows "creative skills" and "critical skills" improving out of step with one another, leapfrogging: your creative skills suddenly improve while your critical skills plateau, then your critical skills improve while your creative skills plateau. Creative highs and lows: when your creative skills outpace your critical skills, "my game is amazing!" But when your critical skills outpace your creative skills, "my game is terrible!" ...When of course it's the same game.
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The One JP Monge @loko08.jpmonge.com · 31/07/2026
1/3 of the game industry has been laid off. We are offering a helping hand. Grab 100+ games in the Game Industry Hardship Fund on itch.io and help support impacted devs. 🔗 itch.io/b/3802/game-... #gamedev #indiegames #costarica #gameindustry #videogames
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